• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.153-165
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• 1997

In male reproducible health, fertility and IVF (in-vitro fertilization), semen analysis has been most important. Semen analysis can be divided into concentration, motional and morphological analysis of sperm. The existing method which was developed earlier to analyze semen concentrated on the sperm motility analysis. To provide more useful and precise solutions for clinical problems such as infertility, semen analysis must include sperm morphological analysis. But the traditional tools for semen analysis are subjective, imprecise, inaccurate, difficult to standardize, and difficult to reproduce. Therefore, with the help of development of microcomputers and image processing techniques, we developed a new sperm morphology analyzer to overcome these problems. In this study the agreement on percent normal morphology was studied between different observers and a computerized sperm morphology analyzer on a slide-by-slide basis using strict criteria. Slides from 30 different patients from the SNUH andrology laboratory were selected randomly. Microscopic fields and sperm cells were chosen randomly and percent normal morphology was recorded. The ability of sperm morphology analyzer to repeat the same reading for normal and abnormal cells was studied. The results showed that there was no significant bias between two experienced observers. The limits of agreement were 4.1%${\sim}$-3.8%. The Pearson correlation coefficient between readers was 0.79. Between the manual and sperm morphology analyzer, the same findings were reported. In this experiments the slides were stained by two different methods, PAP and Diff-Quik staining methods. The limits of agreement were 7.2%${\sim}$-5.7% and 6.0%${\sim}$-6.3%, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficients ware 0.76 and 0.91, respectively. The limits of agreement was tighter below 20% normal forms. In the experiments of repeatability, 52 cells stained by PAP and Diff-Quik staining methods were analyzed three times in succession. Estimating pairwise agreement, the kappa statistic for the pairs were 0.76, 0.81, 0.86, and 0.75, 0.88, 0.88 respectively. In this study it was shown that there was good agreement between manual and computerized assessment of normal and abnormal cells. The repeatability and agreement per slide of computerized sperm morphology analyzer was excellent. The computer's ability to classify normal morphology per slide is promising. Based on results obtained, this system can be of clinical value both in andrology laboratories and IVF units.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.89-97
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• 2018

The test results of a 7-tonf-class engine for the third-stage engine of KSLV-II are presented. Hot-firing tests performed with two engineering model engines are classified into ground tests and high-altitude tests according to the test conditions. The operability verification of the engines were carried out through short and long duration tests. The full duration test performed for the durability verification of the engines revealed a few of items to be improved. Synthetically, encouraging data of adding power to engine development were obtained from the test results. New engines based on these results will be manufactured and consistently verified through hot-firing tests.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2015

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a representative traditional herbal medicine with many different pharmacological properties including anticancer, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-diabetes, and anti-inflammatory activities. Only a few studies have explored the molecular mechanism of KRG-mediated anti-inflammatory activity. Methods: We investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the protopanaxadiol saponin fraction (PPD-SF) of KRG using in vitro and in vivo inflammatory models. Results: PPD-SF dose-dependently diminished the release of inflammatory mediators [nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and prostaglandin $E_2$], and downregulated the mRNA expression of their corresponding genes (inducible NO synthase, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and cyclooxygenase-2), without altering cell viability. The PPD-SF-mediated suppression of these events appeared to be regulated by a blockade of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and TANK (TRAF family member-associated NF-kappa-B activator)-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), which are linked to the activation of activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) and interferon regulatory transcription factor 3 (IRF3). Moreover, this fraction also ameliorated HCl/ethanol/-induced gastritis via suppression of phospho-JNK2 levels. Conclusion: These results strongly suggest that the anti-inflammatory action of PPD-SF could be mediated by a reduction in the activation of p38-, JNK2-, and TANK-binding-kinase-1-linked pathways and their corresponding transcription factors (ATF2 and IRF3).

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.389-400
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• 2013

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been reported to exert anticancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, there has been no report on the effect of KRG on skin pigmentation. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of KRG on melanocyte proliferation. KRG extract (KRGE) at different concentrations had no effect on melanin synthesis in melan-A melanocytes. Saponin of KRG (SKRG) inhibited melanin content to 80% of the control at 100 ppm. Keratinocyte-derived factors induced by UV-irradiation were reported to stimulate melanogenesis, differentiation, proliferation, and dendrite formation. In this study, treatment of melan-A melanocytes with conditioned media from UV-irradiated SP-1 keratinocytes increased melanocyte proliferation. When UV-irradiated SP-1 keratinocytes were treated with KRGE or SKRG, the increase of melanocyte proliferation by the conditioned media was blocked. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was produced and released from UV-irradiated keratinocytes. This factor has been reported to be involved in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal melanocytes. In this study, GM-CSF was significantly increased in SP-1 keratinocytes by UVB irradiation ($30mJ/cm^2$), and the proliferation of melan-A melanocytes increased significantly by GM-CSF treatment. In addition, the proliferative effect of keratinocyte-conditioned media on melan-A melanocytes was blocked by anti-GM-CSF treatment. KRGE or SKRG treatment decreased the expression of GM-CSF in SP-1 keratinocytes induced by UVB irradiation. These results demonstrate that UV irradiation induced GM-CSF expression in keratinocytes and KRGE or SKRG inhibited its expression. Therefore, KRG could be a good candidate for regulating UV-induced melanocyte proliferation.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1144-1149
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• 2011

The occurrence of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) advance growth has been noticed in the deciduous oak forest being adjacent to the mature Korean pine plantation. the korean pine seedlings in the forest were regenerated naturally from harvested and transported Korean pine seeds and cones by rodents, mainly red squirrels. Mongolian oak (Quercus bariabilis), which formed dominant overstory, had close-to-normal distributions of height, diameter and age classes. Korean pine, which dominated the understory, had the reverse J-shaped height, diameter and age distributions that are expected of a shade tolerant species. Growing in the summer shade of the oak, Korean pine seedling had slow, but steady height growth during the past four decades. Total biomass of Korean pine seedling ranged from $2,835-8,541kg\;ha^{-1}$ and biomass allocation of Korean pine seedling was follows : stem (with bark) > foliage > branches > roots. Korean pine seedlings allocated more biomass to foliage and branches compare to planted Korean pine. The smaller root/shoot ratio of Korean pine seedling in the site is to believed to be result of competition for light. Contents of N and K for Korean pine seedling were greatest in foliage follow by branches, stem ad roots, while content of P was greater in the order of foliage > roots > stem > branches.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.379-384
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• 2009

This study was carried out to understand the national and regional distribution of the biomass resources produced in Korea annually via establishing database (DB) and distribution maps of biomass resources data including as livestock manures, food wastes and agricultural by-product. The information of the annual production of each biomass resources was obtained from Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MIFAFF), Ministry of Environment (MOE) and National Statistical Office (NSO). Based on biomass resources data, we established database architecture table about livestock manures and food wastes. The distribution maps for the total amount of manures produced from each livestock animal were built up in both national and regional scales and used for analysis of the space-based and time-based distribution of the manure resources. Distribution maps for food wastes and agricultural by-product were also produced, respectively. It was shown that the analysis through resource mapping can be used to identify the sources of collectable biomass feasibly determining suitable region for establishment of a biomass-energy production. The biomass distribution maps graphically provide the information regarding biomass resources to policy-makers, farmers, general users and it was expected to be utilized for policy-making of environmental-friendly agriculture and bio-energy.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Computer Game
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.157-166
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• 2018

Communication between customers and service providers is an important issue at sites where various businesses and transactions take place. In particular, the ability to solve problems quickly and accurately when a problem arises and when an inquiry is received is directly linked to trust in the site. In this paper, we propose a method of handling complaints and inquiries of site users by using chatbot technology on talent market platform site. First, we implemented chatbot that can communicate with the inquirers in real time, so that users can use the site usage and word search functions. For various errors and problems of the site which can not be defined by a few words or sentences, I have specified an error code and database it. Users of the site were able to contact chatbot with the error code that was output when an error occurred and get the corresponding response in real time. The chatbot implemented in this study provided a satisfactory experience because that was able to provide quick and accurate answers to users who experienced errors or inquiries when using the site. This will have a positive impact on the credibility and favorability of the site over the long term, and will help reduce manpower and time costs for error inquiries.

• Journal of the Korean Regional Science Association
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.33-47
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• 2021

In urban declining areas, the population is decreasing, and drying environments such as buildings and facilities are aging. Therefore, it is vulnerable in the event of disaster, and recovery takes a lot of time and money. The purpose of this study is to develop an evaluation technique for comprehensively diagnosing disasters in declining areas and to present implications through case analysis. Evaluation indicators were selected to calculate the comprehensive diagnosis index of disasters, and weights were calculated for each class, including disaster types, components, and evaluation indicators, through Analytic Hierarchy Process analysis. The comprehensive diagnoses index for each type of disaster was calculated with the calculated weight, and the risk according to the level of urban decline was analyzed. As a result of analyzing Seoul as a case area, it was analyzed that the overall risk of disasters was high in southern regions such as Seocho-gu, Dongjak-gu, Geumcheon-gu, and Gangseo-gu, and relatively low in downtown and northern Seoul, parks and green areas. The results of this study are of academic significance in that they presented a comprehensive diagnostic index evaluation system and technique for each type of disaster, including natural and social disasters.

• International Area Studies Review
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.55-76
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• 2010

This paper analyses interaction between yen/dollar exchange rates and NIKKEI index using bivariate GJR-GARCH(1,1) model. The data employed for the study is daily data series for the period of Jan. 4, 1995 through Aug. 30, 2009. One of main findings is that market inefficiency appears in the periods of financial crisis. Second, the volatility of exchange rates and stock returns has more increased in the wake of the volatility shock of the previous period during financial crisis than during non-financial crisis. Third, interestingly, the asymmetric volatility shock by bad news in those markets is bigger in financial crisis period than in non financial crisis. Fourth, in the period of current global financial crisis triggered by subprime mortgage crisis in U.S, volatility shock at the previous period is bigger than that of Asian financial crisis that happened in 1997. Lastly, the correlation between both returns of exchange rates and stock prices turns up positive according to the empirical estimation. This result may come from the fact that Japanese stock market does not have much attraction for international financial investment compared to stock markets of neighbouring countries like China, Korea and so on, while real sector's contribution to the economy is considered more importantly.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.575-583
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• 2019

The results of the catalytic reaction by pulsed injection of reactants are useful for studying the initial reaction characteristics in the case of many coke invloved reactions. The dehydrogenation characteristics of alumina supported platinum tin catalysts were investigated by pulsed injection of propane. The yield of propylene was maximized when the reduction time of propane injection catalyst was $550^{\circ}C$. Raman analysis showed that the amount of coke was very small when PtSn (4.5) catalyst was used and the short contact time was simulated by propane pulse injection. n order to differentiate the degree of dispersion of platinum, PtSn (4.5) catalyst was sintered at $900^{\circ}C$ with hydrogen, and then the temperature of air - redispersion was varied and propane pulse was injected. As a result, conversione and yield were the highest when air-redispersion temperature is $600^{\circ}C$. The lower the air-redispersion temperature, the higher the selectivity. As the tin content in the platinum catalyst increased, the propane conversion was lowered, but the selectivity to propylene increased and the yield increased. From this, it can be seen that the tin-added platinum catalyst is less active than the platinum catalyst from the beginning of the reaction, which is less affected by coke. The dehydrogenation reaction by the propane pulse injection shows a higher conversion rate than the result of continuous injection due to the formation of COx, and the amount of coke is very small. Decrease in selectivity due to the formation of COx can be reduced by increasing the reduction temperature and time.